The climate in Nepal varies. The summers are generally warm. The winters in the areas with the lowest altitudes are pretty mild, but the higher up on the mountains, the more harsh the winter becomes. One weather condition that may turn most away from Nepal is they have a monsoon season. This takes place between June and September. A monsoon is a wind pattern that is specific to a season. In reality, monsoons shouldn't turn a traveler away from Nepal; even places like the southwestern USA. For more information:
the monsoon is a seasonal change in winds from cool and dry to warm, humid, and rainy
Languages
The main language in Nepal is Nepali. Nepali is an Indo-Aryan language. 47.8% of Nepal speaks Nepali. According to Census 2001, some of the other languages include Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, and unspecified 2.5%. More Language Information:
Overview: Nepal is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Almost one quarter of its population lives below the poverty line (earning less than $1.25 a day). Three quarters of the population make a livelihood through agriculture. GDP per capital: $ 1,200 Unemployment: 46% of people are unemployed in Nepal. Agriculture- products: pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugar cane, jute, root crops, milk, and Water Buffalo meat. Industries: tourism, carpets, textiles, small rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, and cement and brick production. Exports: clothing, pulses, carpets, textiles, juice, pashima, and jute goods Imports: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, gold, electrical goods, and medicine Currency: Nepalese rupees ExchangeRate: 72.56 Nepalese rupees = $ 1.00
· Railways · Highways · Taxis · Motorcycles · Bikes · Cars · Buses · Planes · Helicopters · Trains · Trucks · 9 airports with paved runways · 36 with unpaved runways So pretty much they use transportation the same as everywhere else, but walk most of the time. Not as many Nepalese people own cars, and public transportation is popular.
Country Name (long): Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Flag Conventional Name (short): Nepal Government type: federal democratic republic Capital: Kathmandu Voting: everyone over the age of 18 is able to vote Law: Laws are based upon the Hindu legal system and English common Law Government Divisions: Judicial, Legislative, and Executive Executive: Made up of: the President, the Prime minister, and the cabinet For more information visit: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.html
Marriage Laws
Traditional marriages are usually arranged by parents, sometimes with the permission of the marriage partners.
Marriage is considered sacred, divine, and is to be endured beyond death.
Chastity is an important virtue a woman can bring to a marriage.
Weddings are usually a time of celebration and feasting.
· Majority of Nepalese practice Hinduism, Buddhism is 2nd most practiced · Nepal was a monarchy until 2008-then there was a revolution and it became a democratic republic · Largest city is Kathmandu (it’s the capital, too) · Typical dish is: dal-bhat-tarkari lentil soup over rice with curried veggies · Folklore is big-traditional stories are told generation to generation · Many Hindu and Buddhist festivals · Food varies based on ethnicity, soil, and climate · Life expectancy: male: 65 years, female: 67 years · CIA says Nepal’s risk of infectious disease is high · Nepal is in Southern Asia, between China and India · Slightly larger than Arkansas ·Mount Everest is in Nepal · Literacy rate- total population: 48.6%, male: 62.7%, female: 34.9% (people over age 15 that can read and write) · President is Ram Baran · Nepal is among the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world · Almost ¼ of population living below poverty line · Agriculture is what keeps the economy going · Agriculture: Rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, milk, water buffalo meat · Industries: tourism, carpets, textiles, sugar, cigarettes, bricks, cement · Producer of cannabis, marijuana and hashish (illegal drugs) · Nepalese people preform traditional dances · Landlocked between China and India, it blends both cultures
· PDA is offensive · For Yes : shake your head from side to side, and for NO: nod your head up and down · Superstition is a very big part of family life; there are Nepalese superstitions for everything. Ex. If you are in someone’s home and after you leave the baby gets sick it was probably because of your bad vibe · Calling someone fat in Nepal is a compliment, because it shows you can afford food · Marriage is a deal between the parents · Don’t expect punctuality, being late is normal and acceptable to Nepalese people · Arranged marriages are the norm · Fathers are legally obligated to leave equal portions of land to each son · Daughters do not inherit property unless they remain unmarried past age thirty-five Sources: http://www.nepalvista.com/nepalfaq/customs.html http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nepal.html
Clothing
Different clothing reflects different cultures
Clothing differs according to people's geographical setting and/or weather conditions
Daura-Suruwal, also known as "Labeda-Suruwal", is the conventional clothing in Nepal
Clothing can be attached to religious beliefs
Duara has eight strings that are used to tie itself up the body
Eight is considered a lucky number in Nepal myths.
Traditional Duara has five pleats (Kallis) that signify the Pancha Buddha or Pancha Ratna
The closed neck of the Duara-Suruwal signifies the snake around Lord Siva's neck
A common article of clothing for women is the cotton sari (Guniu) which is gaining recognition is fashion now.
Only men can plow. They perform heavier farm work. They often have jobs in trade, as porters, and outside the village. In cities are more likely to work outside the home. Men tend to live longer than women. They're often viewed as the higher caste. When a man and a woman are married, the manreceives a substantial dowry from the bride's family. The groom's family gives much smaller gifts of jewelry, clothing, and personal items to the bride. By law, the man must award each son equal shares of his land. Ideally, sons will work the father's land as one group. However, a family's land is often divided, shrinking with every generation. A man permanently belongs to the kin group of his father.
Women in Nepal are below men in all parts of society. Pehari and Newari women have it harder than Tibeto-Nepalese communities. Women in all of these regions of Nepal preform tasks like fetching water, animal fodder, and household chores. Women work more than men in Nepal society. However, the small percent of rich families in Nepal are the opposite. Women in these families have virtually noresponsibilities because maids do housework for them. Poverty affects women more than men because a son is given more food than a daughter. The rate of educated women is higher in richer classes than of those below it. For more information visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Nepal
Education
Education only recently started developing
There are ongoing improvements
International organizations are involved in helping Nepal with its educational system
Education is present in rural areas
Education has seen an improvement since the cut in poverty rates and promotion of community development
The government is currently working on undoing previous damage in the educational system inflicted by previous government regime
For many years, during the rule of the Rana family, education was suppressed and looked down upon
The Rana family feared an educated public
Before WWII, many middle and high schools were established in several villages
Over time, education became very important to local people
Regardless of the establishment of an educational system, many poor families couldn't afford to send their children to school because they needed their help on the farm
As of 1975, the government offered primary school for free
Caste separation has denied some access to an education
There are only facilities in urban areas. This imposes a conflict on most villagers because it is expensive to send a child to live in the city.
Illiteracy sits at 58% of the population. 72% of which are women.
All of the above reflect advances made in Nepal educational systems. For more information visit: http://www.nepal.com/education/
City vs. Country
In most Nepal cities, people sustain jobs that involve trading. Merchants trade goods like handicrafts and in some cases other people. Nepal is considered one of the world's richest countries in the hydro power industry. A good commonly produced is carpet. However, 60% of Nepal is based off of agricultural work. These crops includepulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat. For more information see:
Nepal
Climate/Weather
The climate in Nepal varies. The summers are generally warm. The winters in the areas with the lowest altitudes are pretty mild, but the higher up on the mountains, the more harsh the winter becomes. One weather condition that may turn most away from Nepal is they have a monsoon season. This takes place between June and September. A monsoon is a wind pattern that is specific to a season. In reality, monsoons shouldn't turn a traveler away from Nepal; even places like the southwestern USA.For more information:
Languages
The main language in Nepal is Nepali. Nepali is an Indo-Aryan language. 47.8% of Nepal speaks Nepali. According to Census 2001, some of the other languages include Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, and unspecified 2.5%.More Language Information:
Economy
Overview: Nepal is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Almost one quarter of its population lives below the poverty line (earning less than $1.25 a day). Three quarters of the population make a livelihood through agriculture.
GDP per capital: $ 1,200
Unemployment: 46% of people are unemployed in Nepal.
Agriculture- products: pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugar cane, jute, root crops, milk, and Water Buffalo meat.
Industries: tourism, carpets, textiles, small rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, and cement and brick production.
Exports: clothing, pulses, carpets, textiles, juice, pashima, and jute goods
Imports: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, gold, electrical goods, and medicine
Currency: Nepalese rupees
Exchange Rate: 72.56 Nepalese rupees = $ 1.00
For more information visit: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.html
Transportation
· Railways
· Highways
· Taxis
· Motorcycles
· Bikes
· Cars
· Buses
· Planes
· Helicopters
· Trains
· Trucks
· 9 airports with paved runways
· 36 with unpaved runways
So pretty much they use transportation the same as everywhere else, but walk most of the time. Not as many Nepalese people own cars, and public transportation is popular.
http://www.visitnepal.com/travelers_guide/transportation.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Nepal
Government
Country Name (long): Federal Democratic Republic of NepalFlag
Conventional Name (short): Nepal
Government type: federal democratic republic
Capital: Kathmandu
Voting: everyone over the age of 18 is able to vote
Law: Laws are based upon the Hindu legal system and English common Law
Government Divisions: Judicial, Legislative, and Executive
Executive: Made up of: the President, the Prime minister, and the cabinet
For more information visit: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.html
Marriage Laws
- Traditional marriages are usually arranged by parents, sometimes with the permission of the marriage partners.
- Marriage is considered sacred, divine, and is to be endured beyond death.
- Chastity is an important virtue a woman can bring to a marriage.
- Weddings are usually a time of celebration and feasting.
- They are elaborate and may last up to three days.
- Dowries are common in marriages.
For more: http://www.exotic-nepal.com/marriage_and_familyNepal Culture in General
· Majority of Nepalese practice Hinduism, Buddhism is 2nd most practiced· Nepal was a monarchy until 2008-then there was a revolution and it became a democratic republic
· Largest city is Kathmandu (it’s the capital, too)
· Typical dish is: dal-bhat-tarkari lentil soup over rice with curried veggies
· Folklore is big-traditional stories are told generation to generation
· Many Hindu and Buddhist festivals
· Food varies based on ethnicity, soil, and climate
· Life expectancy: male: 65 years, female: 67 years
· CIA says Nepal’s risk of infectious disease is high
· Nepal is in Southern Asia, between China and India
· Slightly larger than Arkansas
·Mount Everest is in Nepal
· Literacy rate- total population: 48.6%, male: 62.7%, female: 34.9% (people over age 15 that can read and write)
· President is Ram Baran
· Nepal is among the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world
· Almost ¼ of population living below poverty line
· Agriculture is what keeps the economy going
· Agriculture: Rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, milk, water buffalo meat
· Industries: tourism, carpets, textiles, sugar, cigarettes, bricks, cement
· Producer of cannabis, marijuana and hashish (illegal drugs)
· Nepalese people preform traditional dances
· Landlocked between China and India, it blends both cultures
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_cuisine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Nepal
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/nepal-facts/
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.html#top
Family Culture
· PDA is offensive
· For Yes : shake your head from side to side, and for NO: nod your head up and down
· Superstition is a very big part of family life; there are Nepalese superstitions for everything. Ex. If you are in someone’s home and after you leave the baby gets sick it was probably because of your bad vibe
· Calling someone fat in Nepal is a compliment, because it shows you can afford food
· Marriage is a deal between the parents
· Don’t expect punctuality, being late is normal and acceptable to Nepalese people
· Arranged marriages are the norm
· Fathers are legally obligated to leave equal portions of land to each son
· Daughters do not inherit property unless they remain unmarried past age thirty-five
Sources:
http://www.nepalvista.com/nepalfaq/customs.html
http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nepal.html
Clothing
- Different clothing reflects different cultures
- Clothing differs according to people's geographical setting and/or weather conditions
- Daura-Suruwal, also known as "Labeda-Suruwal", is the conventional clothing in Nepal
- Clothing can be attached to religious beliefs
- Duara has eight strings that are used to tie itself up the body
- Eight is considered a lucky number in Nepal myths.
- Traditional Duara has five pleats (Kallis) that signify the Pancha Buddha or Pancha Ratna
- The closed neck of the Duara-Suruwal signifies the snake around Lord Siva's neck
- A common article of clothing for women is the cotton sari (Guniu) which is gaining recognition is fashion now.
For more information: http://www.nepalmagic.com/nepal_clothing.html
Men's Role in Society
Only men can plow. They perform heavier farm work. They often have jobs in trade, as porters, and outside the village. In cities are more likely to work outside the home. Men tend to live longer than women. They're often viewed as the higher caste. When a man and a woman are married, the man receives a substantial dowry from the bride's family. The groom's family gives much smaller gifts of jewelry, clothing, and personal items to the bride. By law, the man must award each son equal shares of his land. Ideally, sons will work the father's land as one group. However, a family's land is often divided, shrinking with every generation. A man permanently belongs to the kin group of his father.
For more information visit: http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-N
Women's Role in Society
Women in Nepal are below men in all parts of society. Pehari and Newari women have it harder than Tibeto-Nepalese communities. Women in all of these regions of Nepal preform tasks like fetching water, animal fodder, and household chores. Women work more than men in Nepal society. However, the small percent of rich families in Nepal are the opposite. Women in these families have virtually no responsibilities because maids do housework for them. Poverty affects women more than men because a son is given more food than a daughter. The rate of educated women is higher in richer classes than of those below it.For more information visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Nepal
Education
- Education only recently started developing
- There are ongoing improvements
- International organizations are involved in helping Nepal with its educational system
- Education is present in rural areas
- Education has seen an improvement since the cut in poverty rates and promotion of community development
- The government is currently working on undoing previous damage in the educational system inflicted by previous government regime
- For many years, during the rule of the Rana family, education was suppressed and looked down upon
- The Rana family feared an educated public
- Before WWII, many middle and high schools were established in several villages
- Over time, education became very important to local people
- Regardless of the establishment of an educational system, many poor families couldn't afford to send their children to school because they needed their help on the farm
- As of 1975, the government offered primary school for free
- Caste separation has denied some access to an education
- There are only facilities in urban areas. This imposes a conflict on most villagers because it is expensive to send a child to live in the city.
- Illiteracy sits at 58% of the population. 72% of which are women.
All of the above reflect advances made in Nepal educational systems.For more information visit: http://www.nepal.com/education/
City vs. Country
In most Nepal cities, people sustain jobs that involve trading. Merchants trade goods like handicrafts and in some cases other people. Nepal is considered one of the world's richest countries in the hydro power industry. A good commonly produced is carpet. However, 60% of Nepal is based off of agricultural work. These crops include pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat. For more information see:Olivia Mann- Climate/Weather; Women's Roles; Language; Country vs. CityHelen Boisaubin- Men's Roles; Economy; GovernmentMaram Abdeen- Culture; Family Culture; TransportationRachael Barnes- Marriage Laws; Clothing; Education